Offset locking tab for cartons



Jan. 26, 1932. R. T. HILL OFFSET LOCKING TAB. FOR CARTONS Filed April21. 1930 Yam/BF Zia/Zara J flai Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE RICHARD T. HILL, OF MENASHA, WISCONSIN, ASSIG-NOR TO THEMENA SHA PRODUCTS COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OFWISCONSIN OFFSET LOCKING TAB FOR CARTONS Application filed April 21,

This invention relates ofl'set locking tabs for cartons and particularlyto locking tabs which eifectively interlock overlapping parts of thecarton without tearing in such a manner that no permanent set of thetabs results from the interlocking operation, whereby an effectiveinterlock is secured.

There are utilized locking tabs for cartons and the like at the presenttime which interlook, but which, when moved into interlockingengagement, oftentimes, and usually, results in one of the tabs, if notboth, being permanently bent or set or perhaps torn, with the resultthat a sure and positive interlock fails of accomplishment.

The present invention overcomes the bending or setting of theinterlocking tabs when moved into interlocking engagement, and has foran object means for accomplishment of this purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide tab interlocks for cartonsand the like whereby positive interlock is secured without damage to anyof the parts.

Another object of the invention is to provide tab interlocks for cartonsand the ike, including a tongue formed in one tab which is moved awayfrom normal position by the entering portion of the other tab, so thatcomparatively little force is necessary to insert such entering portioninto the slot of the first tab.

A further object of the invention is to provide tab interlocks forcartons and the like wherein one tab has a slot formed by a tonguestruck therefrom, which tongue is depressed by the hook of the matingtab to allow for entry of the hook into the slot formed by the tongueand which tongue tends to return to normal position flush with its tab,thus binding or pinching the hook and aidin in receiving the same inefiEicient inter ocking position.

The above, other and further objects of the invention will be apparentfrom the following description, accompanying drawings and appendedclaim.

Generally speaking, the invention contemplates the provision of one ofthe interlocking tabs with a tongue formed by slitting the 1930. SerialNo. 446,109.

material of the portion in such manner that one side of the tongue willbe longer than the other and that the longer side will be angularlyarranged for enabling pinching action of the tongue against the hook ofthe mating interlocking portion.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, and the views thereof are as follows:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a carton in closed position embodyingthe present invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the carton in Figure 1, looking at theinterlocking tabs in interlocking engagement.

Figure 3 is a fragmental portion of the prgferred form of hook of one ofthe mating Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the preferred manner offorming the tongue in the other of the mating portions and showingparticularly the manner of slotting such portions to provide the tongue.7

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse fragmental section taken horizontallythrough the carton of Figure 1 and showing the hook of one of the matingtabs entering and depressing the tongue of the other mating tab.

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view showing thearrangement and relation of parts when the tabs are in interlockingengagement.

The form of carton chosen to exemplify the present invention is aparafiin paper ice cream box and is made from a single blank of materialfolded into the form illustrated.

The box as illustrated comprises a top 1 having a flap 2 thereon, afront wall 3 with end tabs 4 and 5 forming parts, respectively of therear wall and the front wall 3.

The tab 5, designated herein as the female tab, is provided with atongue 6 which is fashioned by slitting the tab 5, as illustrated in thedrawings. There are two such slits shown, one consisting of a slithaving its major portion 7 straight and a curved portion 8. The otherslit includes a major straight portion 9 which forms a junction with thecurve 8 of the first slit and which extends beyond said junction. Theother end of the slit is formed by a straight portion 10, making anobtuse angle with the major part 9 and directed away from the majorportion 7 of the other slit.

The second slit, i. e. the one consisting of the parts 9 and 10, islonger than the first slit, i. e. the one consisting of the parts 7 and8. The space occupied by' the tongue 6 provides a recess for entry ofthe hook of the mating member.

The preferred form of hook is illustrated in Figure 3 and is fashionedonthe tab 4 and consists of a forwardly projecting nose 11 which is curvedin outline and has a notch 12 underneath the nose for engaging the bottom of the portion 9 of the second slit for interlocking the partstogether.

The flap 2 of the top 1 is secured against the front wall 3 in anysuitable manner, such, for instance, as by paste. The box is filled fromone end and, when so filled with a brick of ice cream or the like, thefilling end is closed in the following manner.

The top 1 and the bottom of the box are provided with plain overlappingend pieces which are bent at right angles to the top and bottom andunderlie the end tabs 4 and 5.

The nose 11 of the end tab 4 is folded against the tongue 6 of the endtab 5, whereupon the tongue 6 is depressed, thus aifording a relativelylarge recess for the entrance of the tongue, so that little, if any,pressure is necessary on the tab 4 for inserting the nose 11 in therecess. The tab 4 is moved into locking engagement with the'tab 5 bypressing the tabs toward the ends of the box formed by the end pieces 13and 14 of the top and bottom, whereupon the nose 11 will enter betweenthe tongue and the under surface of the tab 5 as defined by the secondslit, i. e. the one consisting of the parts 9 and 10. The upper portionof the nose 11 enters the slit formed by the part 10, as clearly shownin Figure 2. The notch 12 of the hook en gages over the lower end 15 ofthe second slit and hooks therewith, while at the same time the tongue 6tends to return to normal position, i. e. flush with its tab 5,resulting in a pinching or wedging action against the nose 11 along theportion 10 of the second slit, thus cooperating with the notch 12 andthe slit end 15 for securely interlocking the parts together.

The carton is opened by unlocln'ng the interlocking tabs and tearing oifthe front flap 2, whereupon the whole carton may be opened, allowingremoval of the brick ice cream or other carton contents without damagingthe same.

It is, of course, understood that the present invention is not limitedto use with ice cream cartons, as it may be readily used with any typeor character of carton having interlocking portions for securing thecarton blanks in box-like form.

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as todetail, yet the invention is not to be limited thereto, as it isunderstood that changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion ofparts, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

A foldable carton having overlapping mating pieces or tabs, one of saidmating tabs having a slot therein formed by a tongue struck therefrom,said tongue being formed by a slit along one side which is straight fora major portion thereof and curved at its free end, the other side ofthe tongue being formed by a slit which is straight for the majorportion thereof and which slit makes junction with the curve of theother slit away from the adjacent end of said second slit, the other endof said second slit being straight but cut at an obtuse angle withrespect to the major portion of said second slit, which angular portionis directed away from the first slit, and the other mating tab having ahook for entering said slit and having hooking engagement with the same.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, CookCounty,

Illinois.

' RICHARD T. HILL.

